Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

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Datacolor are making older monitor calibrators obsolete because their activation servers use TL v1.2 which has security issues. There is a popup that explains the situation when you click 'Why are we sunsetting older Spyders?' on the referenced webpage.

Background

Datacolor have a product line called Spyder that are computer monitor colour calibrators. Its older products, Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4 and Spyder5 are being "sunsetted" (using their word). These were not cheap pieces of equipment and, despite their age, are still fully functioning. Spyder2 was launched in 2004, Spyder3 in 2007, Spyder4 in 2012 and Spyder5 in 2015. Spyder5 received a software update on 2025-05-26 and is compatible with Windows 11.

Older Spyders are being made obsolete

Datacolor sent emails out to their customers on 2026-01-19 notifying them that older Spyder hardware would be made obsolete on 2026-07-19. (File:Datacolor Email.jpg) Currently installed software would keep working after this date, but there would be no software updates and, crucially, new installs would not be supported as the activation servers were being taken down.

Although older Spyder devices will still work after the cut off date, it will be impossible to activate new software installs. The software cannot be installed without activation. So if, for example, you want to install the software on a different computer, or you need to re-install the software on your current computer, you will not be able to. Your Spyder device will be broken by Datacolor and will need to be thrown away.

Email sent to Datacolor's customers.

Datacolor's response

Their solution to the problem was to offer a 50% discount on a new model of Spyder. The two models to choose from are the 'Spyder', priced at £79.50 (after discount) or the 'SpyderPro', £124.50 after discount. The discount is only available from 2026-01-19 to 2026-02-02. This does not give enough time to make an informed decision on whether it's worth spending more money with a bad company or to jump ship. Also, it does not give people time to save up for a purchase they shouldn't be having to make.

Consumer response

A Facebook chat with Datacolor

Email sent by Pantagoon to Datacolor with some opinions.

The creator of this page has had a Facebook interaction with Datacolor which did not yield much of a response. (File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png) Also an email was sent with some opinions on the matter. A response has not yet been received. (File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png)

The issue has been mentioned on pentaxforums.com

References

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